This program uses the historic Plan of Action, an agreement forged at the United Nations Cairo Population Conference, to tell the story of our population future. Taking its title from Egyptian President Hosni Mubarac's welcome "to the cradle of civilization to discuss the future of civilization," Future in the Cradle vividly documents where the world stands today in this "race between education and catastrophe."

At the Cairo conference, 180 nations signed a 20-year plan to stabilize world population at eight billion people by the year 2500. It calls upon all countries to improve educational and employment opportunities for women, to promote family planning, and to provide reproductive health care for all women. The film also points out the need for U.S. citizens to reduce their consumption of resources. The study/activity guide crosses curriculum with math, social studies, writing, and environmental activities.